Major Wolfgang Spate flew the Komet on its first combat mission on May 13, 1944 against American bombers that targeted the oil storage facilities located in western Poland . From his airfield at Bad Zwischenahn, Germany the secret test unit EK 16 had finished testing the rocket fighter. Major Spate had been appointed commander of the secret unit. Spate had been a renown glider pilot and had ninety aerial victories to his credit.

His ground crew in an effort to impress Major Spate during the night painted his Me 163 fighter all red for the upcoming morning first aerial combat sortie. The intention of the ground crew was to celebrate the occasion by painting the plane red in honor of Baron von Richthofen famous Fokker Triplane. Spate was taken back not in a good way because he really would loved to have flown his fighter painted in its original camouflage to help protect him from enemy fighters. Now he was flying into combat in a fighter painted red for everybody to easily see.

The first mission was only a learning experience for Major Spate. Twice he tried to line up and attack a pair of P-47's but each time the rocket motor failed. Spate later transferred into a squadron of Me 262 jet fighters where he would earn his last five aerial victories flying the aircraft becoming one of the first jet aces of all time.

The advantage the Komet pilot had was that it could approach the bomber formation unmolested so the pilot could concentrate on lining up his target. The speed of the fighter was its best defense.

This is an authentic hand signed item and is NOT a preprint. The item size is 3.5x5.5.

The item also comes with a COA from UACC Registered Dealer and Auction House R&R Enterprises. Bob Eaton owner of R&R Enterprises is also an autograph authenticator for PSA/DNA.

Please let me know if the photo is not showing up. Sometime Ebay messes up my photos.

Shipping & handling for this item is $6.00 for with Delivery Confirmation in the United States. Canada shipping is $6.00 flate rate Air Mail. For all other International customers shipping is a flat rate of $7.00 for Air mail or $12.00 for Global Priority. Yes I combine shipping. Check out our other auction that are starting at only $1.00. Buy more and still only pay one flat rate.

NOTE: Shipping & handling covers more than just the actual shipping costs. It covers a lot of other things like shipping material (envelopes, Card board, sheet protectors, labels, etc.) Our time spent packaging, delivering photos to the Post Office, etc. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE OUR S&H TERMS PLEASE DO NOT BID....

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Please contact us first if you feel that we have violated your copyright. If you let us know first we will gladly remove the auction. 

Why you should buy from us?

Cliff Yow is the owner of Autographed Cards and is a member in good standing of the UACC, IACC and The Manuscript Society. He is also a member of The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. 

Every autograph we offer for sale comes with a lifetime guarantee that it is authentic. Whenever you make a purchase from us you will receive a hard copy invoice for your records. We do this so you can contact us at anytime and to provide our customers with peace of mind that are dealing with someone reputable. We also offer free certificates of authenticity issued from our company Autographed Cards for all of our items on request. We are getting new collections so check out our auctions every week!

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If you are not happy with your purchase you have 10 days to return it for a full refund minus the cost of shipping. 

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Please contact us with any questions at autographedcards@hotmail.com or call 580-277-9261.

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